Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe Easy Cozy Dinner with Pearl Onions
A comforting slow cooker beef bourguignon with tender beef, pearl onions, and a rich red wine sauce, perfect for cozy dinners and easy weeknight meals.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-8 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high)
- Total Time: 7 hours 25 minutes to 8 hours 25 minutes (low) or 4 hours 25 minutes to 5 hours 25 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 15–20 pearl onions, peeled
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, halved
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups dry red wine (such as Pinot Noir)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
Instructions
- Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. Toss with 2 tablespoons flour, salt, and pepper to coat lightly.
- Heat 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef cubes in batches, about 3-4 minutes per batch, then transfer to slow cooker.
- In the same skillet, sauté pearl onions, sliced carrots, and halved mushrooms for 5-7 minutes until softened and browned. Add minced garlic and tomato paste; cook for 1 more minute.
- Pour 2 cups red wine into skillet, scraping browned bits from the bottom. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Transfer wine and vegetables to slow cooker with beef. Add 1 cup beef broth, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is fork-tender and sauce is thickened.
- Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If sauce is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into slow cooker; cook uncovered on high for 15 minutes to thicken.
- Let the beef bourguignon rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Searing the beef and vegetables is essential for deep flavor. Add pearl onions late in cooking to preserve texture. Use a good-quality dry red wine you would drink. For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch or omit it. If sauce is thin, thicken with cornstarch slurry. Frozen pre-peeled pearl onions save time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: slow cooker beef bourguignon, beef stew, pearl onions, comfort food, easy dinner, French cuisine, slow cooker recipes